PHILADELPHIA, PA, Jan. 24, 2002 -- Despite a New Year's Day fire that made national news, the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center (FWWIC), a major new eco-tourism attraction, will open as planned later this year, according to city officials.
"The fire was confined to the Engine House, the oldest building in the Water Works complex," said Ed Grusheski, the Philadelphia Water Department general manager of public affairs, who also oversees development of the center. "Although the Interpretive Center and the Engine House share a certain amount of space, the fire mainly affected an area being rehabilitated to accommodate a new restaurant."
"The center and the restaurant do have a common heating and air conditioning system; the damage to it has to be assessed, but appears to be minor," he explained. "We're sad for everyone who had worked so hard on the renovations for the restaurant. Its opening might be delayed but the project will go forward," he said. Philadelphia's Fairmount Water Works, one of America's premier tourist attractions in the early 19th century and a National Historic Landmark, is set for a comeback as a major eco-tourism destination.
When completed, the Interpretive Center will feature exhibits on the Urban Watershed, Point and Non-point Pollution, today's water and wastewater technologies, a Water Laboratory, a Water Wheel replica, a Turbine Technology exhibit, a classroom, an audio-visual theater, an esplanade and a watershed technology center. The Interpretive Center will be able to accommodate 100,000 visitors yearly.
The Interpretive Center will be housed within the Water Works' graceful neo-classical buildings nestled beside the Schuylkill River. Shortly after opening to the public in 1822, the Water Works became a must-see attraction for visitors worldwide.
Even Charles Dickens, who disliked most things American, joined other Europeans in praise of the Water Work's aesthetics and engineering excellence. Pollution of the river, limitations of the site and new technology doomed the Water Works.
In 1909, the Water Works entered a long period of decline that began with its decommissioning. Serving later as the City's aquarium, and then as a swimming facility, the complex fell into disuse in 1972.
Today, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) administers the Interpretive Center. PWD also spearheads fund-raising efforts and provides support for the FWWIC.
The Jan/Feb 2000 issue of the Pennsylvania Gazette ran a feature story on the Schuylkill River and the Fairmount Water Works renovation. This article can be found at http://www.upenn.edu/gazette/0100/lonkevich.html, with more information about the Fairmount Water Works renovation at http://www.upenn.edu/gazette/0100/lonkevichsidebar.html.
